Command Staff

Duane Harper is a native of Daviess County and started his law enforcement career in 1991 as a Patrolman with the Owensboro Police Department. Prior to retiring from OPD, he spent the majority in the Patrol Division, but also served as a technician in the Evidence Collection Unit. In addition to patrol, Captain Harper served in many additional duty roles and as a member of specialized units such as Accident Reconstruction, Field Training Officer, and Crisis Intervention Team Instructor. Following his retirement in 2011, he joined the Daviess County Sheriff's Office as a Patrol Deputy where he could continue his passion of patrolling the county roadways and investigating serious collisions. Captain Harper quickly moved up the ranks and since January of 2023 serves as the Commander of the DCSO Patrol Division. His responsibilities include overseeing all three patrol shifts, which consist of 25 deputies (2 Sergeants, 3 Corporals) providing 24-hour law enforcement coverage to Daviess County’s 477 square miles and 103,000 residents to include the cities of Owensboro and Whitesville. He ensures that DCSO Deputies are present at county events and serves as the Agency Administrator/Liaison to the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety program. In addition, Captain Harper serves on several boards within the community. During his 32 years of law enforcement, he has been recognized by receiving numerous awards, including Owensboro Police Department Officer of the Year, Daviess County Sheriff’s Office Deputy of the Year, and Deputy of the Year for the Commonwealth of Kentucky presented by the Kentucky Sheriff's Association. Captain Harper is a graduate of the Department of Criminal Justice Academy of Police Supervision.

Captain Jared Ramsey is a Hancock County native and graduated from Hancock County High School in 2001.  Following high school, he moved to Daviess County and obtained an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science from Owensboro Community & Technical College and Bachelor’s Degree in Workforce Administration/Systems Management from Western Kentucky University. Captain Ramsey is a graduate of the WKU Dynamic Leadership Institute as well as a 2023 graduate of Leadership Owensboro.

Captain Ramsey is a US ARMY Veteran having separated from service as a Staff Sergeant with deployments to Afghanistan (OEF 2004) and Iraq (OIF 2009). He started his law enforcement career as a Patrolman at the Owensboro Police Department in 2007.  While at the OPD, Ramsey served as a member of the Emergency Response Team (ERT) as a designated marksman, and as a member of the Honor Guard Team.  Ramsey held several instructor certifications including Krav Maga, Firearms, Armorer, Police Training Officer, Active Shooter Response, and Rapid Deployment.  

In 2015, Ramsey became a deputy at the Daviess County Sheriff's Office.  Ramsey served as the Officer in Charge of the Night Shift Unit until 2017 when he transferred to the Criminal investigations Division as the department’s narcotics officer.  In 2021 Captain Ramsey transferred to general investigations.  During Ramsey’s time at the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office, he maintained all his previous achieved certifications as well as obtained advanced certifications as a law enforcement sniper, a federally certified Active Shooter Response Instructor, and investigations.  In 2022, Captain Ramsey joined the Daviess County Public Schools Police Department and served as a School Resource Officer where he was assigned to patrol the district’s 12 elementary campuses.  In January of 2023 Ramsey re-joined the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office as a member of the Command Staff as Commander of the Administrative Division.

During his career, Captain Ramsey has received several awards including 2013 Owensboro Police Department Officer of the Year, the Chief’s Award, three Lifesaving Medals, and numerous Unit Commendations and Distinguished Service Awards. 

“I go to work every day with people who are smarter than me, who are better at what they do than me.  I go to the gym every day and work out with people who are stronger and faster than me.  I spend my spare time with friends and family whose values and qualities of character I aspire to reflect.  For all these reasons, I get a little better, every day.” 

Detective Captain Jeff Payne is a lifelong resident of Owensboro and a 1991 graduate from Owensboro Catholic High School. Payne received his Associates in Arts with an emphasis in Law Enforcement from then the Owensboro Community College in 1994. Payne joined the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office in October of 1994 and graduated from the Department of Criminal Justice Training Basic Academy Class number 236 in February of 1995. Payne worked in various disciplines while at the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office to include Patrol, Court Security, and Investigations. Payne received the Deputy of the Year Award in 1998 from the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office and was a Field Training Officer.

In December of 2002, Payne laterally transferred to the Owensboro Police Department where he would serve as a Patrolman, Evidence Collection Technician, and Detective in the General Investigations Division. The awards he received while at OPD include Detective of the Year, the Life Saving Award, the Exceptional Service Award, the Chief’s Award, and various Command Citations. Payne also received Kentucky Law Enforcement Counsel’s Career Development Certificates in Advanced Law Enforcement Officer and Advanced Investigator. Payne retired on Halloween 2014 with 20 years of service to the citizens of Owensboro and Daviess County.

Captain Payne came out of retirement in 2020 to work for the McLean County Sheriff’s Office where he was assigned to Patrol and Evidence Collection. In 2021 he was promoted to Lieutenant and while at MCSO, he received the Self Above Service Award/Deputy of the Year Award in 2021, the Disaster Commendation due to his efforts during the December 2021 tornado that devastated the area, and Unit Commendations for his case work.

In 2022 Payne joined the Daviess County Public Schools Police Department as a School Resource Officer and was assigned as an Elementary School Patrol Officer. He thoroughly enjoyed working with the children and staff at DCPS. 

Captain Payne left the Daviess County School Police in January 2023 to return to where it all began—the DCSO. He was assigned to the Command Staff by Sheriff Brad Youngman and appointed as Detective Captain and Commander of the Criminal Investigations Division.

Captain Payne is a Kentucky Colonel, former Fraternal Order of Police President of Owensboro Lodge 16—a position he proudly held for 10 years, and the 2011 Kentucky State FOP Member of the Year.